Get to Know Japan Series: Kanagawa |
≫ Series Overview |
≫ Virtual Exhibition |
≫ Tourism Resources |
≫ Virtual Pop-Up Shop
|
≫ Live Webinar |
| Crafting the Perfect Sake in Kanagawa Tuesday, December 8, 6:30 PM EST |
Tourism Resources
Kanagawa Prefecture has a rich history and many fascinating sites to explore. Delve deeper into Kanagawa culture with these additional resources. Learn the stories behind famous Buddhist temples, discover the healthy and fortifying diets of Buddhist monks, understand the distinctive qualities of the region’s delicious sake, and much more.A Mountain Retreat in Hakone Essay
I live in Kamakura, a seaside town one hour from Tokyo by train. From the hills around my house, I can look north to the distant skyscrapers, south to the Pacific, and to the west, the mountains surrounding iconic Mt. Fuji. The largest of these mountains is Mt. Hakone, the “steepest in the land,” according to the beginning of the classic song, Hakone Hachiri (1901, composed by Rentaro Taki). It was here that the Zen monk Musō Soseki (1275-1351) founded a mountain retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital in Kamakura. For my first trip after quarantine, I thought to follow in Muso Soseki’s footsteps and find my own retreat in the mountains. My trip began on the Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) rail line that runs through the streets of Kamakura before heading out on the coast, making for the distant mountains.Read more →
Eating Zen in Kamakura Essay
In Japan, before each meal we say Itadakimasu. Meaning “I receive,” it is an expression of gratitude for the lives we take when we eat. This spirit of gratitude is one of the cornerstones of shojin ryori or “ascetic cooking,” a vegetarian cuisine that is an integral part of the practice of Zen Buddhism. Food is prepared with gratitude toward the life given, and gratitude toward those who will receive the food, and it is eaten with gratitude toward the chef. In Kamakura, shojin ryori has developed alongside Zen Buddhism since its introduction from China over 1,000 years ago.Read more →
Additional Tourism Resources
Please use these resources and links to plan your next visit to Kanagawa, Japan.Get to Know Japan Series: Kanagawa is co-organized by Kanagawa Prefectural Government.
Image: ©︎ Odakyu Group
Image: ©︎ Odakyu Group
